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Projects getting done despite the economy

Author:Steve Patterson December 18th, 2009

We all know the economy crashed.  There are signs of recovery but with the unemployment rate at 10% on average (it is up to three times higher for some population segments), a recovery is a long way off.  I know many architects that are either unemployed or with very little work.  If they are not working now that means the construction industry won’t be working in 6 months.

Despite the stark realities of 2009, St. Louis did see some projects move forward.  Presumably most of these had financing in place prior to the financial meltdown.

I present four of many:

SE corner of 20th & Locust nearing completion

1818 Washington Ave. (disclosure: developer is a client/advertiser)

1818 Washington Ave. (disclosure: developer is a client/advertiser)

P.W. Shoe Loft Apartments, 3427 Locust in Midtown

Spring Street Lofts at Spring & Forest Park Blvd.

Hopefully we will see many more small-scale re-use projects such as these begin in 2010.  Financing for projects the size of these is a major challenge but nothing like a project the size of say Ballpark Village or the long-stalled Bottle District.  One building at a time is how you rejuvenate a city.  That can be through renovation or new construction.  I’d much rather numerous small projects spread out across the city than a few big projects concentrated downtown.

- Steve Patterson

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  • Dale Sweet
    Spring Street Lofts--I don't know why I find it so aggravating that the project is called that when Spring is an "avenue," not a "street." Many of St. Louis's north/south streets are labeled avenues. Laclede Avenue, which is an adjacent east/west street (there's an exception already!) has a bar on it called Laclede Street. Manchester, which is either an avenue (another exception) or a road, depending on where you are, used to have a bar called "Manchester Street." Am I crazy or should people know the entirety of their address, especially when they're naming stuff?
  • JZ71
    No, you're not crazy, but it's only really "important" if it's confusing. Spring Street just has better alliteration/rhythm than Spring Avenue does. In some cities it IS important (like Denver and Salt Lake), where you have, for example, both 17th St. AND 17th Ave., plus East and West or North and South versions of the same addresses. Here, there seem to be very few redundant namings, other than for Florissant and its multiple versions.

    What I find to be more interesting around here is the fascination with longer street names, like Corporate Center Drive or Tree Court Industrial Blvd. I'll trade a brief, rational system over a random, verbose system any day . . .
  • anon
    JZ - It seems the quirks of StL never end. For me, I much prefer quirky to predictable. It adds to the charm, mystique, and originality of the place. Florissant isn't the only road with many different names. There are plenty more. Take Market west to Forest Park Parkway, Chouteau west to Manchester, Vandeventer to Southwest, Salisbury to Jefferson, Hampton to Germania. Alabama to Lemay Ferry, Chippewa to Watson. It makes for a great parlour game!
  • dustinbopp
    One of my favorite trivia night questions in the St. Louis category is: "What one street runs continuously from the eastern edge of the city to the western edge without changing names?" Anybody? Now, I know people reading this blog are much more likely to know the answer off the top of their head but I certainly impressed my trivia table mates by answering without a pause. If there is another one, I don't know it.
  • dustinbopp
    Wish I could remember the wording of the question more precisely. I think it was more like what: "What street can you drive continuously from the Mississippi River to McCausland (not the western limits but popularly perceived to be) that does not change names?" The answer was Arsenal. Chippewa is close but you can't reach the river by it and it sort of changes names where its Watson & Chippewa though I think Chippewa is the official designation at that stretch.
  • JZ71
    And running north-south, I'd assume the only one would be Broadway?
  • Webby
    I would have said Highway 40.
  • City
    Chippewa?
  • Arsenal is the most obvious to me. I'd also say St. Louis Ave. is a good possibility.
  • G-Man
    I love the look of that building at 20th and Locust. What is that going to be?
  • I'm not sure of the intended use(s).
  • Fenian
    Steve-

    In regard to the two loft developments mentioned in your story, I would like to get your opinion. What are your thoughts on the number of loft developments in the City? Is there currently enough demand for the number that are available or coming onto the market? What about pricing? Too low, too high, just right?
  • The projects now are rental rather than for sale, which is fine. Around SLU rental makes more sense anyway. Demand seems to be strong. I haven't evaluated prices.
  • Jeff
    There is also a new microbrewery across the street from Spring Street Lofts. I visited last weekend and am pretty sure it is non-smoking. Not a lot of food choices but they had some good beers to try.
  • JZ71
    Since they're "getting done" now, one would assume that they had their funding in place before the economy cratered last year. The real challenge has been getting funding to get new projects started this year . . .
  • stljmartin
    Any thoughts on the Art Museum expansion?
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